When Pitt takes the field against Youngstown State on Saturday, the Panthers have the opportunity to go undefeated in non-conference play for the first time since joining a conference in 1991. But, that's not where their focus lies this weekend. They are simply focused on doing something they haven't been able to do yet this season, and that's putting together a four-quarter game.
While Pitt's first three games have concluded with victories, two have included fourth-quarter comebacks where the Panthers have had their backs against the wall. They erased a 21-point deficit against Cincinnati and then took down West Virginia after trailing by 10 points with less than fine minutes remaining. But while they were able to bounce back in both games, they weren't able to play a complete game and felt like they left a lot on the table.
"I think as a team and as an offense, I think we've been tougher on ourselves after that win," Gavin Bartholomew said earlier this week. "None of us thought that we played very well as an offense. There's a lot that we left out on the field, a lot of points that we left and plays. So, we’re just really trying to correct those and dominate this week."
Eli Holstein's play in the fourth quarter of the past two games is a great example of the level they've played at in those pressure moments. Against Cincinnati, Holstein completed 11 of his final 12 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Then, this past week against West Virginia, Holstein completed five of his final six passes for 100 yards and one touchdown while also rushing six times for 67 yards on Pitt's final two drives. He was the engine that led Pitt back in both victories and has been a major key to the team's success.
The redshirt freshman quarterback has passed for nine touchdowns, which is the fourth-highest total in the country, and is also fifth in the country in total offense (345 yards per game) and ninth in total passing yards (939). Despite the success, Holstein knows the offense hasn't put together a complete game and that is the goal on Saturday.
"We're approaching this week as a game to put four quarters together," Holstein said. "We still feel like we haven't done that and we feel like every game, we've left at least three touchdowns out there. I feel like this is the game where we're going to go out there, we're going to execute on all levels, be able to run the ball, throw the ball, keep the ball out of the defense's hands and make sure we're not turning the ball over. Everybody's doing the right thing because we're going to need games like that later on in the season."
So how exactly do the Panthers take that next step and execute their offense in all four quarters? Well, they've showcased glimpses of it throughout the early parts of the season. They've been able to execute at a high level and put together drives that have seemed effortless. But they've also had drives where their execution and focus seem to fall apart, which leads to errors and penalties.
When it comes to playing at a high level consistently, Pitt has to focus on all of the little details which will lead to a greater product.
"Focus and execution. It's one play at a time," Narduzzi said. "We talk all the time about it. Your opponent has something to do with that, right? Sometimes it's not going to be pretty and look exactly the way you want, but it's about execution. This game is a game of execution and you have to take care of the details. If you take care of those little details, the big things happen and you play 60 minutes. But you can't kill yourself with penalties and those details there. So we just have to be locked in and everyone has to be on the same page."
THE OPPONENT
Coach: Doug Phillips (20-24)
Record: (1-2, 0-0 Missouri Valley)
Players to watch: Beau Brungard, QB, So.; Tyshon King, RB, Sr.; Max Tomczak, WR, Jr.; Stephon Hall, DB, Jr.; Makahl Shahid, DB, R-Fr.; Devin Johnson, LB, Sr.
In three games this season, the Penguins have scored 101 points. They lost their first game of the season to Villanova, 24-17, before romping Valparaiso 59-25 behind quarterback Beau Brungard, who rushed for 194 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 125 yards and two touchdowns. But, the Penguins are coming off a three-point loss to Duquesne.
While they are on the rebound, their identity is running the ball and Brungard leads the way in that respect. Despite completing 70% of his passes for 470 yards and three touchdowns this season, Brungard leads the Penguins in rushing yards with 315 and four touchdowns.
"He's going to drop back, look at his first read and take off running," Narduzzi said. "He's athletic, he can run, he's got wiggle, he can put his foot in the ground and change direction, so we've got to contain him and keep him in that pocket."
On top of that, running backs Tyshon King and Ethan Wright give the Penguins a formidable tandem in the backfield. They've combined for 347 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 68 carries this season and are also running behind an experienced offensive line. So controlling the line of scrimmage will be a crucial focus for the Panthers.
"They're experienced up front," Narduzzi said. "They're going to maul you off the ball."
Defensively, the Penguins haven't gotten off to a great start this season. They allowed Duquesne to score 28 points despite holding nearly a 25-minute advantage in time of possession. They've also allowed a few big scoring plays, including a 75-yard touchdown run this past weekend that allowed Duquesne to seal their victory with 1 minute, 40 seconds left on the clock.
Despite Youngstown State's early-season struggles, Pitt can't afford to look past the Penguins whatsoever because while Youngstown State is a lower-level program, the Panthers know all about what FCS players can do.
"We know what FCS, I-AA football is," Narduzzi said earlier this week. "I played it, CJ Lee played it. Poppi Williams played it. We have some darn good football players in this room that are FCS players. First thing you look at is respect. I respect every one of our opponents. I look down the roster, watch videotape, this is a good football team, again a playoff team."
In totality, this is a perfect game for the Panthers to shore things up in all three aspects of the game. Offensively, they can find a rhythm and build momentum heading into conference play, which starts Oct. 5 against North Carolina. Defensively, they'll face a mobile quarterback, which is a challenge they'll run into again later this season. So it's a good opportunity for the Panthers to try and dominate defensively to raise their standard for the rest of the season.
